"At the same time, we are going to work to support the aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom in their country."

Ms. Rice says, "No one wants to deny the Iranian people or the Iranian nation civil nuclear power":

"Many different options have been put before Iran. They have chosen to isolate themselves instead. And in a year of peaceful and patient efforts, the United States has broadened the diplomatic consensus on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program. We've successfully convinced Russia and China and India and Brazil and Egypt and many others to send the issue to the [United Nations] Security Council."

The Iranian government, says Ms. Rice, "has now crossed a point where they are in open defiance":

"Let me be perfectly clear, the international community is going to have to act, and act decisively, if Iran is to know that there is a consequence for their open defiance of the international community . . . . But we also want to try not to hurt the Iranian people. So, I think you will see us walk a fine line in what actions we take."

Secretary of State Rice says the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and others are "not debating whether Iran should have civil nuclear power, but how to safely do so without a proliferation risk."

The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.